Hydraulic propulsion unit

ABSTRACT

Hydraulic propulsion apparatus particularly adapted for use on a marine vessel such as a barge comprises a propeller and hydraulic driving motor mounted at one end of the vessel for vertical adjustment and rotary steering movements. The propeller is housed within a protective cage or shroud which normally extends below the level of the bottom of the vessel for engagement with the bottom of a shallow body of water whereupon the propeller may be adjusted vertically upwardly automatically. A preferably hydraulically operated steering mechanism is connected to the propeller assembly for imparting rotary steering movements to the latter, the mechanism permitting vertical adjustment of the propulsion apparatus.

nite States Patent [191 Cooke Aug. 13, 1974 HYDRAULIC PROPULSION UNIT [76] Inventor: Clifford M. Cooke, PO. Box 236,

Thessalon, Ontario, Canada 22 Filed: Apr. 3, 1972 211 Appl. No; 240,570

[52] US. Cl. 115/35, 115/41 R [51] Int. Cl B63h l/l4 [58] Field of Search 115/41, 41 HT, 34, 35, 115/34 A, 42, 41 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,204,895 11/1916 Michel 115/41 R 2,135,907 l1/l938 Miller 115/41 R 2,244,217 6/1941 115/42 2,638,863 5/1953 Kiebler et a1. 115/41 R 2,905,131 9/1959 Costa 115/35 X 2,983,246 5/1961 Manley 115/42 3,010,424 11/1961 Petterson et a1. 115/41 R 3,187,709 6/1965 Edwards 115/41 R 3,422,780 l/l969 Becker et al 115/41 R 8/1971 Buddrus 115/41 AT 8/1972 Krautkremer 115/41 R Primary ExaminerRobert J Spar Assistant Examiner-G. L. Auton Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Learman & McCulloch [57] ABSTRACT Hydraulic propulsion apparatus particularly adapted for use on a marine vessel such as a barge comprises a propeller and hydraulic driving motor mounted at one end of the vessel for vertical adjustment and rotary steering movements. The propeller is housed within a protective cage or shroud which normally extends below the level of the bottom of the vessel for engagement with the bottom of a shallow body of water whereupon the propeller may be adjusted vertically upwardly automatically. A preferably hydraulically operated steering mechanism is connected to the propeller assembly for imparting rotary steering movements to the latter, the mechanism permitting vertical adjustment of the propulsion apparatus.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures HYDRAULIC PROPULSION UNIT The invention disclosed herein relates to propulsion apparatus for marine vessels and particularly to a steerable, hydraulically operated propulsion unit which is especially adapted for use on a barge of the kind which conventionally is not equipped with propulsion apparatus.

A conventional barge is a flat bottom vessel capable of supporting various kinds of cargo and which is pushed or pulled from place to place by means of one or more tug boats. Barges of this kind commonly are used in logging operations conducted adjacent lakes and navigable streams. In such operations logs are cut in a forest and dragged to an area from which they may be dropped into a lake or river having a depth adjacent the shore of 3 to 4 feet. Such logs are green and consequently sink to the bottom. The logs subsequently are recovered by means of a barge having a hydraulic crane equipped with grab tongs mounted on a superstructure high amidships of the barge. The crane plucks the submerged logs from the shallow water and places them aboard the barge. In the log recovery operation the barge must be moved from place to place so as to enable the tongs to grasp the logs, and it has been the practice heretofore to effect such movements of the barge by means of a tug boat.

The crane operator conventionally occupies a position atop the aforementioned superstructure so as to enable him to see submerged logs and facilitate the log recovery operations. The operator of the tug boat, however, rarely is in a position to see the submerged log, so some form of communication must be provided between the crane operator and the tug operator. Even the very best of radio communication systems leave a great deal to be desired because the barge often must be located within a matter of inches of a particular site in order that the crane can perform its recovery operations. The problems in properly locating a barge are magnified in high winds.

Regardless of the effectiveness of the communications between the crane operator and the tug operator. the tug normally has a deeper draft than that of the barge. As a consequence a barge frequently cannot be moved as close to shore as may be required with the result that those logs near the shore must be recovered in some other manner.

All of the foregoing problems can be overcome by providing a barge with its own steerable propulsion apparatus. However, conventional propeller propulsion units are relatively inefficient unless they extend below the level of the bottom of the barge. When a barge is operating in shallow water and is being loaded, the weight of the load causes the barge to settle more deeply into the water, thereby moving its bottom closer to the bottom of the body of water. If the propeller extends below the level of the barge bottom, it will engage the bottom of the body of water and either become inoperative, damaged, or both.

Once the barge is loaded it must be moved from the recovery site to an unloading station at which many of the same problems may he encountered. In addition. a conventional barge must be moved by means of a tug boat, thereby making it impossible for the tug to be used in shifting the positions of other barges engaged in log recovery operations.

The foregoing problems are encountered in any instance in which a barge or the like must be positioned in a number of successive locations. For example, barges of the kind used to support pile-driving mechanisms must be located and maintained at the piledriving positions in order to effect driving of the piles. Movements of a barge from one pile-driving location to another magnify the communications problems between the pile-driver operator and the tug operator.

Apparatus constructed according to the invention overcomes the problems referred to hereinbefore by providing a hydraulic propulsion unit composed of a reversible hydraulic motor coupled to a propeller which is housed within a cage, the assembly being mounted on a vertical support fixed to a barge and in such manner that the propeller assembly is adjustable vertically and is rotatable about a vertical axis. An extensible and contractile hydraulic ram is coupled to the propeller assembly so as to impart rotary steering movements to the latter, the ram being mounted for pivotal movements to avoid interferring with vertical adjustment of the propeller assembly. The controls for the hydraulic motor and the steering ram preferably are located in the same position as those in which the crane operating controls are mounted.

An object of this invention is to provide steerable and vertically adjustable propulsion means for use on a barge or the like so as to enable the vessel to be selfpropelled and steered.

Another object of the invention is to provide propulsion apparatus of the character referred to and which is adjustable vertically automatically to enable the vessel to operate at extremely shallow depths.

A further object of the invention is to provide hydraulic propulsion means for a vessel such as a barge and in which the propulsion apparatus may be operated by power driven means with which such a vessel conventionally is equipped.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out specifically or will become apparent from the following description when it is considered in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a typical barge equipped with propulsion apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, rear elevational view of the apparatus; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic piping diagram illustrating the manner in which the various parts of the propulsion apparatus may be operated.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention is adapted for use on a vessel such as a barge I having a flat bottom 2 from which a hull having upstanding side and end walls extend, at least one end wall 3 being upwardly inclined and terminating at its upper end in a substantially horizontal platform or deck section 4. A

barge adapted for use in logging operations conventionally includes a superstructure (not shown) amidships on which a crane having tongs (not shown) is mounted and including a cab (not shown) in which the crane operating controls are located for access by an operator. Such a barge conventionally includes a Diesel or other motor 5 that is coupled to a hydraulic pump 6 which draws hydraulic fluid from a reservoir 7 for distribution to the crane and tong operating mechanisms. The motor, the pump, and the reservoir may be mounted in any convenient position, but for the sake of convenience they are shown as being mounted on the platform 4. if the barge is to be used exclusively for recovering logs and transferring them to some other conveyance, the motor, the pump, and the reservoir could be located ashore in some position remote from the barge and be connected to the latter by flexible lines, if desired.

Propulsion apparatus according to the invention is designated generally by the reference character 8 and comprises a reversible, hydraulic motor 9 of conventional construction having an output shaft 10 journaled at one end in a motor housing 11. Fixed on the shaft between its ends is a preferably three-bladed propeller l2. Rotation of the motor shaft in one direction causes rotation of the propeller in the same direction, and rotation of the motor shaft in the opposite direction causes rotation of the propeller in the opposite direction.

The end wall 3 of the barge 1 has an opening 13 adjacent its upper end in which is accommodated and fixed one end of a vertical, cylindrical mounting rod or shaft 14 which extends substantially to the level of the barge bottom 2. Slidably and rotatably mounted on the rod 14 is a sleeve or collar 15 which is considerably shorter in length than that of the rod 14. The sleeve 15 thus is capable of substantial vertical movement relative to the rod 14, and the lower end of the latter is provided with an enlargement 16 to limit downward movement of the sleeve. The rod 14 is rigidly fixed to the barge by braces 14a and 141; which extend between the member 16 and the end wall 3.

Means for mounting the propulsion apparatus on the rod 14 comprises a mounting plate or bracket 17 welded or otherwise suitably fixed to the sleeve 15 and to which is bolted or otherwise secured the motor 9. The motor and the sleeve 15 thus are capable of conjoint movement relative to the rod 14.

A shroud or cage l8encircles the propeller 12 and preferably is composed of a plurality of steel rods 19 corresponding ends of which are welded to the bracket 17 and the opposite ends of which are welded to a ring 20. The rods 19 have inner end portions 21 which diverge from the bracket 17 so as to present substantially a conical configuration. but the rods are bent intermediate their ends as at 22 so that the other portions 23 present a substantially cylindrical configuration. A diametral brace 24 spans the ring and carries a support and thrust bearing 25 in which the free end of the shaft 10 is journaled, whereby both ends of the shaft 10 are supported.

The cylindrical portion of the cage 18 has a diameter greater than that of the propeller 12 and the diameter of the propeller. is such that, when the sleeve 15 is in its lowermost position, the radius of the propeller extends well below the barge bottom 2.

A double acting, extensible and retractable hydraulic ram 26 is provided for imparting steering movements to the propeller l2 and comprises a cylinder 27 within which is a reeiprocable piston (not shown) joined to a piston rod 28 the free end of which extends beyond the cylinder 27. The cylinder is pivoted by means of a universal joint 29 to the end wall 3 of the barge and the free end of the piston rod 28 is pivoted by means of a similar universal joint 30 to the bracket 17. The arrangement is such that extension and retraction of the piston rod 28 effect swiveling movements of the propulsion apparatus 8, whereas the universal joints enable the ram 26 to oscillate in response to vertical movements of the propulsion apparatus.

The control apparatus disclosed in FIG. 3 will be described in conjunction with the description of the operation of the propulsion apparatus.

When the barge is operating in waters of substantial depth, the propulsion apparatus will occupy its lowermost position as determined by the engagement of the sleeve 15 with the part 16. The efficiency ofthe propulsion apparatus thus is at its greatest. The motor 9 may be driven in a desired direction by adjusting a four-way metering valve 32 of conventional construction to such a position that a selected quantity of hydraulic fluid is delivered from the pump 6 through a conduit 33, an onoff valve 34, and a tube 35 to one side of the motor 9 whence it is discharged from the other side of the motor to a tube 37 which delivers the fluid to the valve 32 and thence through a conduit 38 to the reservoir 7. It will be understood that the valve 32 may be adjusted so as to effect reverse rotation of the motor 9 and that the rate or rotation of the motor is proportional to the flow of fluid therethrough.

The barge may be steered by means of the hydraulic ram 26 the conditions of which is controlled by a conventional four-way valve 39 which enables hydraulic fluid to be delivered to either selected end of the cylinder 28 via tubes 40 and 41, the valve 39 being connected to the pump through an on-off valve 36 and a conduit 42 and being connected to the reservoir 7 by a conduit 43. Fluid passed through the valve 39 to the ram 26 is capable of oscillating the sleeve 15 through approximately and the control valve 39 is of the kind which will enable the sleeve to be maintained in any selected position of angular adjustment.

Whenever the barge moves into waters sufficiently shallow to cause engagement between the bottom of the cage 18 and the bottom of the body of water, the propulsion apparatus will be adjusted upwardly automatically so as to enable the propulsion apparatus to remain effective. The rods 19 of the cage will protect the propeller from being damaged by its engagement with the bottom. The propulsion apparatus may continue to be adjusted upwardly as long as any clearance exists between the barge bottom and the bottom of the body of water.

The conical portion of the cage provides means for enabling the propulsion apparatus to be adjusted upwardly in the event the cage encounters a rock, submerged log, or other obstruction during forward movement of the barge. That is, the inclination of the inner end portions 21 of the cage bars 19 provide a ramp-like structure which enables the cage to ride over such obstruetions.

The height to which the support rod 14 extends above the water line when the barge is unloaded or lightly loaded preferably is such that the propulsion apparatus may be raised to a level above the water line so as to facilitate any repair that may be necessary, thereby avoiding the necessity of beaching or drydocking the barge or utilizing divers. To facilitate lifting of the propulsion unit, a hook 44 may be secured to the bracket 17 for the attachment of a chain or other hoisting device.

The disclosed embodiment is representative of a presently preferred form of the invention, but is intended to be illustrative rather than definitive thereof. The invention is defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. Propulsion apparatus for a barge or the like having a hull and a bottom, said apparatus comprising a vertical support mounted at one end of said hull; propeller means; means mounting said propeller means on said support for rotation and for unrestrained vertical sliding movements between upper and lower limits; protective shroud means fixed to said mounting means for movements therewith and extending about said propeller means; power driven extensible and retractable steering means pivotally connected at one end to said mounting means for rotating the latter; means pivotally connecting said steering means at its other end to said hull for swinging movement in a substantially vertical plane; and power driving means coupled to said propeller means for driving the latter, said shroud means being of such size as to extend below the level of said bottom when said mounting means is in its lowermost position.

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said steering means comprises an extensible and retractable hydraulic ram.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said propeller means comprises a shaft having propeller blades intermediate the ends thereof, and means carried by said shroud means journaling opposite ends of said shaft for rotation.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said driving means is reversible.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said shroud means comprises a plurality of spaced apart bars arranged about said propeller means in substantially conical form.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said support comprises a cylindrical shaft and wherein said mounting means comprises a sleeve on said shaft. 

1. Propulsion apparatus for a barge or the like having a hull and a bottom, said apparatus comprising a vertical support mounted at one end of said hull; propeller means; means mounting said propeller means on said support for rotation and for unrestrained vertical sliding movements between upper and lower limits; protective shroud means fixed to said mounting means for movements therewith and extending about said propeller means; power driven extensible and retractable steering means pivotally connected at one end to said mounting means for rotating the latter; means pivotally connecting said steering means at its other end to said hull for swinging movement in a substantially vertical plane; and power driving means coupled to said propeller means for driving the latter, said shroud means being of such size as to extend below the level of said bottom when said mounting means is in its lowermOst position.
 2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said steering means comprises an extensible and retractable hydraulic ram.
 3. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said propeller means comprises a shaft having propeller blades intermediate the ends thereof, and means carried by said shroud means journaling opposite ends of said shaft for rotation.
 4. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said driving means is reversible.
 5. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said shroud means comprises a plurality of spaced apart bars arranged about said propeller means in substantially conical form.
 6. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said support comprises a cylindrical shaft and wherein said mounting means comprises a sleeve on said shaft. 